The song "Jaoon Kahan" (a.k.a. "Jaaun Kahan") from the 2009 film Billu reaches into the soul and brings up the question we ask during times of extreme sadness.
"Where do I go?"
The song depicts Bilas Rao "Billu" Pardesi (Irrfan Khan) trying to pull his life back together after he is publicly condemned and abused by the townspeople for not serving as a connection to Bollywood superstar Sahir Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) who has come to the small town to shoot scenes for an upcoming film. Billu's wife Bindiya (Lara Dutta) suffers as well. She is ridiculed by the other women of the village which reminds her of past mistreatment by friends and family.
The emotional pain is palpable. Each character pulls themselves together to face another day - sometimes just to continue to breathe. The song effectively illustrates how we feel after some major trial, disappointment, or loss happens in our life.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan sings this haunting, soul stirring cry from the heart. The sufi melody was written by Pritam with lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. The translated lyrics are:
I search for it with moist eyes.
I don't know where my house is.
Oh, God, tell me.
Why did you punish me like this?Breaking all relationships,
abandoning all these memories,
with this sorrow,
where do I go?
Oh, Lord ...I had a small house and I was kind of happy
What did you gain by taking it away from me?
All I have now is my life.
Should I also give up that as well?Breaking all relationships,
abandoning all these memories,
with this sorrow,
where do I go?
Oh, Lord ...
This is the perfect song to either soothe or bring you to tears, but it does require a response. Here is a portion of the song "Jaoon Kahan" from the film Billu.
If you liked this post, check out our other Music Monday or Billu posts.